[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN HONOR OF BERNARD ALGENON CATCHINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 12, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a great man and 
outstanding citizen of Camilla, Georgia, Bernard Algenon Catchings. Mr. 
Catchings passed away on May 22, 2013. A memorial service will be held 
on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Peter AME Church in 
Camilla, Georgia.
  Born on January 19, 1915 to the late Timothy and Alice Catchings of 
Camilla, Georgia, Bernard Catchings was the fourteenth of sixteen 
children. He was educated at the Catchings Family School, a school his 
father built on the family's farm, and graduated from Mitchell County 
Training School in Pelham, Georgia. He later earned his Bachelor of 
Science Degree in Agriculture from Fort Valley State College in 1946. 
In the intervening time, he proudly served his country as a Medical 
Technical in World War II and was honorably discharged in 1944. Mr. 
Catchings obtained his Master's Degree in Horticulture from Florida 
Agricultural and Mechanical University.
  Mr. Catchings' passion for education persisted during his 
professional career as a teacher in the school systems of Mitchell' and 
Baker Counties in Georgia as well as in the Jackson County School 
System in Florida. He taught Math, Science, Agriculture, Shop, and 
Driver's Education classes. He continued to touch the lives of young 
people by substitute teaching at Mitchell Baker High School upon 
retiring after 40 years as an educator.
  Other employment ventures led him to serving as a Florida Frozen 
Fruits and Vegetable Inspector, World Book Encyclopedia Sales 
Representative, Farm Bureau Co-Op, and an Angler Watcher with the 
Department of Natural Resources.
  A favorite pastime of Mr. Catchings was hunting. He was regarded by 
many in Camilla, Mitchell County, and Southwest Georgia as the greatest 
huntsman of quail and dove ever known. He was affectionately known by 
many as ``The Birdman.''
  Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. 
A great soul never dies.'' Mr. Catchings is undoubtedly great because 
of his service to his community, devotion to his work, and the 
compassion he showed for his friends and loved ones.
  Mr. Catchings was preceded in death by his wife, Alexa Burton 
Catchings and his grandson, Walter Williams. He is survived by his 
children, Bernard, Jr., Gwainevere, Janet, Rose, and Alexa; 
grandchildren, Joy, Kimberly, Walter, Tracey, Natalie, Elliot, Bernard, 
and Alex; and great-grandchildren, Christopher, Brandon, Alex, and 
Emerie.
  Mr. Speaker, my wife Vivian and I would like to extend our deepest 
sympathies to Mr. Catchings' children and other family members during 
this difficult time. May they be consoled and comforted by their 
abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

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